Council seeks more information on property

City of Powell River council wants to have another look at a proposal to locate a new emergency services facility on Barnet Street.

A recommendation to endorse the city-owned vacant property next to the RCMP building as the future location of an emergency services facility was on the agenda for the November 7 council meeting. Dan Ouellette, director of fire and emergency services, made a presentation about the recommendation at the October 17 committee-of-the-whole meeting.

In order to build on the site, Squatter’s Creek, which flows through the property, would have to be reconfigured by extending an existing culvert, which enters the property at the northeast corner from Barnet, and constructing an open stream channel from the outlet of the culvert to the existing stream channel.

As well as a riparian assessment, the fire department commissioned a nesting bird survey, which found inactive great blue heron nests on the site.

Councillors had requested copies of both the riparian assessment and the bird survey. Councillor Russell Brewer said he had some questions after reading the reports. “I’m not a big fan of redirecting Squatter’s Creek or tributaries of Squatter’s Creek,” he said. “I’d prefer that we’d be looking at daylighting Squatter’s Creek, which is long term, obviously.”

Councillor Myrna Leishman pointed out the report states, upon application to the regulatory agencies, the city would be required to commit to completing the stream works within an 18-month window. Once approval is attained and work completed, the site will be ready to prepare for construction. “There’s that to go through yet,” she said. “In addition to the stream relocation, a geotechnical analysis would be required to ensure suitability for building in this location.”

There are still issues and questions, Leishman said, adding Brewer brought up a good point.

Council passed a motion to refer the report back to the committee of the whole for staff to provide further information.

Councillor Jim Palm said that he had been approached by several members of the community about the heron nests. “I’d like a little bit more information on that front as well when it comes forward to committee of the whole,” he said. “Even though the nests may not have been inhabited for a couple of years, several people have said there’s a good chance they may come back.”